AASSP Selects Finalists for Alabama’s Middle School Principal of the Year
Montgomery, AL – November 14, 2025: The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP), an affiliate of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS), proudly announces the finalists and district honorees for the 2025-2026 Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year award. This annual recognition celebrates exceptional leadership, dedication, and impact among Alabama’s middle-level administrators. This award is sponsored annually by Horace Mann, whose long-standing support helps recognize exceptional leadership in Alabama’s schools.
Three outstanding principals have been selected as state finalists:
- Heather Bardwell – Mountain Gap Middle School, Huntsville City Schools
- Brad Barton – Coppinville Junior High School, Enterprise City Schools
- Rashad Stallworth – Scarborough Model Middle School, Mobile County Schools
The finalists were interviewed and chosen by a selection committee during the 2025 AASSP/AAMSP Fall Conference. The overall winner will be announced in the coming weeks.
AASSP 2025-2026 District Middle School Principals of the Year
Each AASSP district selects a District Middle School Principal of the Year, and the finalists are chosen from these district principals of the year. The district principals of the year were recognized during an awards ceremony at the AASSP/AAMSP Fall Conference on November 11, 2025. This year’s district winners are:
| District 1 | Rashad Stallworth, Scarborough Model Middle School, Mobile County |
| District 2 | Brad Barton, Coppinville Junior High School, Enterprise City |
| District 3 | No District Winner Selected |
| District 4 | Kristen Williams, Opelika Middle School, Opelika City |
| District 5 | Jami Rainey, Northridge Middle School, Tuscaloosa City |
| District 6 | Amber Ray, White Plains Middle School, Calhoun County |
| District 7N | Monica Moon, Russellville Middle School, Russellville City |
| District 7S | No District Winner Selected |
| District 8 | Heather Bardwell, Mountain Gap Middle School, Huntsville City |
“These middle school leaders demonstrate the vision, commitment, and heart that help Alabama’s students and teachers thrive,” said Dr. Farrell Seymore, executive director of CLAS and AASSP. “We congratulate each district winner and finalist for the powerful work they do every day to strengthen their schools and communities.
The overall winner of the Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year Award will represent Alabama in Washington, D.C., as part of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Middle School Principal of the Year program. The winner will compete alongside other state representatives for the title of National Middle School Principal of the Year, showcasing Alabama’s strong tradition of educational leadership on a national stage.
(For more information, please contact Alyssa Godfrey, CLAS Director of Communications, at 334.265.3610 or at alyssa@clasleaders.org)
About Horace Mann: Horace Mann was founded in 1945 to provide quality auto insurance for teachers. In addition to auto insurance, Horace Mann now offers a host of insurance and financial products for teachers and educators. www.horacemann.com
About AASSP: The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals serves as a voice and a resource for public school secondary administrators. AASSP is an affiliate association of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS). CLAS is an umbrella association that serves thirteen different affiliates comprised of Alabama’s public school administrators. CLAS is dedicated to providing the framework to connect dedicated school administrators and other successful leaders with a network for professional growth and support. For more information, visit www.clasleaders.org
